Ramsey Lewis Blues For The Night Owl CD

From the opening track, a lyrical yet hard-swinging take on "The Song is You, " it's clear that a serious musician is at work. Backed by an impressive Big Band she has dubbed "The Knights of Swing", her voice is an integral part of the ensemble, riffing with the horns and sparring with the rhythm section with clear timbre and flawless intonation. Throughout the collection, there is no grandstanding in Valerie's approach, no superfluous displays of technique. Instead, like a seasoned jazz player, she searches for, and finds, the musical heart of each song. Her background as a percussionist comes through in her singing; in her subtle syncopations, skillful use of space and ability to flat-out swing. And when the tempo slows down, Valerie shines on classic ballads such as "That's All" and "When I Fall In Love," bringing the lyrics to life like a talented actress. She sums up the "Knights of Swing" project by saying. "Doing this record got me reconnected with the reason I do music in the first place - because it brings me joy."The Knights of Swing features some of the finest, most experienced jazz musicians in the world today. The rhythm section alone boasts an incredible lineup of talent, and all have backed quite an impressive line up of stars: Gary Hobbs on drums (the Stan Kenton Big Band, Anita O'Day, Tom Grant), Phil Baker on bass (Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Rosemary Clooney), George Mitchell on piano (Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Phyllis Diller), and John Smith on guitar (Nu Shooz, Suzanne Sommers).